The beta version of Microsoft Office Live Workspace

The beta version of Microsoft Office Live Workspace was launched on 10 December, in the US. As Microsoft officials pointed out, this program can be used as a complement to Microsoft Office and you may not require Microsoft Office on your PC to use this software. Having any browser like Internet Explorer and Firefox on your PC is enough to launch this program from your PC or kiosk.



Although Microsoft Office Live Workspace and other Web 2.0 services from Google (Google Apps) or other software manufacturers share many common features, Office Live Workspace has new features to offer. Most importantly, it has simplified document sharing without meddling with firewalls.



Microsoft says it finds consumers, small-businesses and educational agencies as potential customers for its latest service.



Eric Gilmore, Senior Product Manager for Office client says:

“We see two audiences for Office Live Workspace: Information workers, ranging from home-based to enterprises, and students,”



However, Microsoft continues to focus on its existing services for business clients - Office SharePoint Server, Office Groove and Online Services as it firmly believes certain activities like archiving, directory integration, back-up and auditing work better with SharePoint than Office Live Workspace.



Meanwhile, Microsoft is planning to launch the beta version of Office Live Workspace outside the US next year. The non-English version of this service is expected to be introduced by the end of 2008.

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